Manamadurai
From Sakthi (1997) · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Mano, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- S. P. Venkatesh
- Details
- Sakthi (1997)1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maanaamathurai ponnae | Oh girl from Manamadurai, |
| Manja kizhangu enna vilai | What is the price of the turmeric root? |
| Thaanaa malarnthirukke | It has bloomed all on its own, |
| Thaamaraippoo enna vilai | What is the price of that lotus flower? |
| Male | |
| Marainju kann adikkum | Hiding and winking at me, |
| Maadhulanga enna vilai | What is the price of the pomegranate fruit? |
| Mayakkum mallaigaippoo | The intoxicating jasmine flower, |
| Mookkai thulaikkuthu | Pierces the senses through the nose, |
| Muzham enna vilai | What is the price per cubit? |
| Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi | Come here, my fair girl, |
| Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi | You are a hen that swallows a rooster! |
| Female | |
| Maanaamathurai ponnu | The girl from Manamadurai says, |
| Manja kizhangu tharathillai | I won't give you turmeric root! |
| Thaanaa malarnthirukkum | Blooming all on its own, |
| Thaamaraippoo tharathillai | I won't give you the lotus flower! |
| Female | |
| Marainju kann adikkum | Hiding and winking, |
| Maadhulanga tharathillai | I won't give you the pomegranate! |
| Mayakkum malligaippoo | The intoxicating jasmine flower, |
| Vaikkirathu undu | Is meant to be worn, |
| Vikkirathukku illai | Not meant for sale! |
| Male | |
| Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi | Come here, my fair girl, |
| Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi | You are a hen that swallows a rooster! |
| Male | |
| Vellarippazham pazhuththu | The cucumber fruit has ripened, |
| Vedichchirukku paathaiyilae | And split open on the pathway. |
| Koththum kili koththi thinnaa | If a pecking parrot pecks and eats it, |
| Kuththamillai kelviyillai | There is no fault and no question asked. |
| Female | |
| Kiliyae aann kiliyae | Oh parrot, male parrot! |
| Thallai nillu thooraththila | Stand far away from me! |
| Akkapporu nadanthuruchchunnaa | If any trouble happens, |
| Akkam pakkam yaarumillai | There will be no one around to help! |
| Male | |
| Konjum mozhi ketkkaiyilae | When hearing your endearing words, |
| Nenjukkuzhi inikkuthadi | The pit of my heart tastes sweet, girl! |
| Oththa viral thodugaiyilae | When touched by just a single finger, |
| Usuru ellaam thudikkuthadi | My whole life force trembles! |
| Male | |
| Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi | Come here, my fair girl, |
| Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi | You are a hen that swallows a rooster! |
| Female | |
| Kadhalaa unnai ninaichchu | Oh lover, thinking of you, |
| Kattum thuni nanainjathae | The clothes I wore got soaked in sweat! |
| Izhuththu moochchai vittaen | I took a deep breath in and out, |
| Eera thuni kaanjathae | And the wet clothes dried up! |
| Male | |
| Kuyilae unnai ninaichchaa | Oh cuckoo, thinking of you, |
| Koodha kaaththu kodhikkuthae | Even the cold winter wind boils! |
| Ora kannil paaththupputtaa | If you look at me out of the corner of your eye, |
| Uchchi veyil kuliruthae | The hot midday sun feels cool! |
| Female | |
| Kannukkulla | Inside my eyes, |
| Minnal vettuthae | Lightning strikes! |
| Nenjukkulla mazhai kottuthae | Inside my heart, rain pours down! |
| Koottukkulla vasathiyillai | There is no comfort inside the coop, |
| Kozhiyum sevalum | As the hen and the rooster, |
| Mallukkattuthaiyaa | Are wrestling with each other! |
| Male | |
| Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi | Come here, my fair girl, |
| Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi | You are a hen that swallows a rooster! |
| Male | |
| Hae…maanaamathurai ponnae | Hey... Oh girl from Manamadurai, |
| Manja kizhangu enna vilai | What is the price of the turmeric root? |
| Thaanaa malarnthirukke | It has bloomed all on its own, |
| Thaamaraippoo enna vilai | What is the price of that lotus flower? |
| Male | |
| Marainju kann adikkum | Hiding and winking at me, |
| Maadhulanga enna vilai | What is the price of the pomegranate fruit? |
| Mayakkum mallaigaippoo | The intoxicating jasmine flower, |
| Mookkai thulaikkuthu | Pierces the senses through the nose, |
| Muzham enna vilai | What is the price per cubit? |
| Male | |
| Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi | Come here, my fair girl, |
| Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi | You are a hen that swallows a rooster! |
| Hoi….sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi | Hoi... Come here, my fair girl, |
| Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi | You are a hen that swallows a rooster! |
மானாமதுரை பொண்ணே
மஞ்சக் கிழங்கு என்ன விலை
தானா மலர்ந்திருக்கே
தாமரைப்பூ என்ன விலை
Oh girl from Manamadurai,
What is the price of the turmeric root?
It has bloomed all on its own,
What is the price of that lotus flower?
மறைஞ்சு கண் அடிக்கும்
மாதுளங்க என்ன விலை
மயக்கும் மல்லிகைப்பூ
மூக்கைத் துளைக்குது
முழம் என்ன விலை
செவத்த புள்ளையே வாடி
நீ சேவலை முழுங்கும் கோழி
Hiding and winking at me,
What is the price of the pomegranate fruit?
The intoxicating jasmine flower,
Pierces the senses through the nose,
What is the price per cubit?
Come here, my fair girl,
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
மானாமதுரை பொண்ணு
மஞ்சக் கிழங்கு தரதில்லை
தானா மலர்ந்திருக்கும்
தாமரைப்பூ தரதில்லை
The girl from Manamadurai says,
I won't give you turmeric root!
Blooming all on its own,
I won't give you the lotus flower!
மறைஞ்சு கண் அடிக்கும்
மாதுளங்க தரதில்லை
மயக்கும் மல்லிகைப்பூ
வைக்கிறது உண்டு
விக்கிறதுக்கு இல்லை
Hiding and winking,
I won't give you the pomegranate!
The intoxicating jasmine flower,
Is meant to be worn,
Not meant for sale!
செவத்த புள்ளையே வாடி
நீ சேவலை முழுங்கும் கோழி
Come here, my fair girl,
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
வெள்ளரிப்பழம் பழுத்து
வெடிச்சிருக்கு பாதையிலே
கொத்தும் கிளி கொத்தி தின்னா
குத்தமில்லை கேள்வியில்லை
The cucumber fruit has ripened,
And split open on the pathway.
If a pecking parrot pecks and eats it,
There is no fault and no question asked.
கிளியே ஆண் கிளியே
தள்ளி நில்லு தூரத்தில
அக்கப்போரு நடந்துச்சுன்னா
அக்கம் பக்கம் யாருமில்லை
Oh parrot, male parrot!
Stand far away from me!
If any trouble happens,
There will be no one around to help!
கொஞ்சும் மொழி
கேட்கையிலே
நெஞ்சுக் குழி இனிக்குதடி
ஒத்த விரல் தொடுகையிலே
உசுரு எல்லாம் துடிக்குதடி
When hearing your endearing words,
The pit of my heart tastes sweet, girl!
When touched by just a single finger,
My whole life force trembles!
செவத்த புள்ளையே வாடி
நீ சேவலை முழுங்கும் கோழி
Come here, my fair girl,
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
காதலா உன்னை நினைச்சு
கட்டும் துணி நனைஞ்சதே
இழுத்து மூச்சை விட்டேன்
ஈரத் துணி காஞ்சதே
Oh lover, thinking of you,
The clothes I wore got soaked in sweat!
I took a deep breath in and out,
And the wet clothes dried up!
குயிலே உன்னை நினைச்சா
கூதக் காத்து கொதிக்கிதே
ஓரக் கண்ணில் பாத்துப்புட்டா
உச்சி வெயில் குளிருதே
Oh cuckoo, thinking of you,
Even the cold winter wind boils!
If you look at me out of the corner of your eye,
The hot midday sun feels cool!
கண்ணக்குள்ள
மின்னல் வெட்டுதே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள மழை கொட்டுதே
கூட்டுக்குள்ள வசதியில்லை
கோழியும் சேவலும்
மல்லுக்கட்டுதய்யா
Inside my eyes,
Lightning strikes!
Inside my heart, rain pours down!
There is no comfort inside the coop,
As the hen and the rooster,
Are wrestling with each other!
செவத்த புள்ளையே வாடி
நீ சேவலை முழுங்கும் கோழி
Come here, my fair girl,
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
ஹே...மானாமதுரை பொண்ணே
மஞ்சக் கிழங்கு என்ன விலை
தானா மலர்ந்திருக்கே
தாமரைப்பூ என்ன விலை
Hey... Oh girl from Manamadurai,
What is the price of the turmeric root?
It has bloomed all on its own,
What is the price of that lotus flower?
மறைஞ்சு கண் அடிக்கும்
மாதுளங்க என்ன விலை
மயக்கும் மல்லிகைப்பூ
மூக்கைத் துளைக்குது
முழம் என்ன விலை
Hiding and winking at me,
What is the price of the pomegranate fruit?
The intoxicating jasmine flower,
Pierces the senses through the nose,
What is the price per cubit?
செவத்த புள்ளையே வாடி
நீ சேவலை முழுங்கும் கோழி
ஹோய்...செவத்த புள்ளையே வாடி
நீ சேவலை முழுங்கும் கோழி
Come here, my fair girl,
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Hoi... Come here, my fair girl,
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Maanaamathurai ponnae
Oh girl from Manamadurai,
Manja kizhangu enna vilai
What is the price of the turmeric root?
Thaanaa malarnthirukke
It has bloomed all on its own,
Thaamaraippoo enna vilai
What is the price of that lotus flower?
Marainju kann adikkum
Hiding and winking at me,
Maadhulanga enna vilai
What is the price of the pomegranate fruit?
Mayakkum mallaigaippoo
The intoxicating jasmine flower,
Mookkai thulaikkuthu
Pierces the senses through the nose,
Muzham enna vilai
What is the price per cubit?
Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi
Come here, my fair girl,
Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Maanaamathurai ponnu
The girl from Manamadurai says,
Manja kizhangu tharathillai
I won't give you turmeric root!
Thaanaa malarnthirukkum
Blooming all on its own,
Thaamaraippoo tharathillai
I won't give you the lotus flower!
Marainju kann adikkum
Hiding and winking,
Maadhulanga tharathillai
I won't give you the pomegranate!
Mayakkum malligaippoo
The intoxicating jasmine flower,
Vaikkirathu undu
Is meant to be worn,
Vikkirathukku illai
Not meant for sale!
Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi
Come here, my fair girl,
Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Vellarippazham pazhuththu
The cucumber fruit has ripened,
Vedichchirukku paathaiyilae
And split open on the pathway.
Koththum kili koththi thinnaa
If a pecking parrot pecks and eats it,
Kuththamillai kelviyillai
There is no fault and no question asked.
Kiliyae aann kiliyae
Oh parrot, male parrot!
Thallai nillu thooraththila
Stand far away from me!
Akkapporu nadanthuruchchunnaa
If any trouble happens,
Akkam pakkam yaarumillai
There will be no one around to help!
Konjum mozhi ketkkaiyilae
When hearing your endearing words,
Nenjukkuzhi inikkuthadi
The pit of my heart tastes sweet, girl!
Oththa viral thodugaiyilae
When touched by just a single finger,
Usuru ellaam thudikkuthadi
My whole life force trembles!
Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi
Come here, my fair girl,
Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Kadhalaa unnai ninaichchu
Oh lover, thinking of you,
Kattum thuni nanainjathae
The clothes I wore got soaked in sweat!
Izhuththu moochchai vittaen
I took a deep breath in and out,
Eera thuni kaanjathae
And the wet clothes dried up!
Kuyilae unnai ninaichchaa
Oh cuckoo, thinking of you,
Koodha kaaththu kodhikkuthae
Even the cold winter wind boils!
Ora kannil paaththupputtaa
If you look at me out of the corner of your eye,
Uchchi veyil kuliruthae
The hot midday sun feels cool!
Kannukkulla
Inside my eyes,
Minnal vettuthae
Lightning strikes!
Nenjukkulla mazhai kottuthae
Inside my heart, rain pours down!
Koottukkulla vasathiyillai
There is no comfort inside the coop,
Kozhiyum sevalum
As the hen and the rooster,
Mallukkattuthaiyaa
Are wrestling with each other!
Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi
Come here, my fair girl,
Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Hae…maanaamathurai ponnae
Hey... Oh girl from Manamadurai,
Manja kizhangu enna vilai
What is the price of the turmeric root?
Thaanaa malarnthirukke
It has bloomed all on its own,
Thaamaraippoo enna vilai
What is the price of that lotus flower?
Marainju kann adikkum
Hiding and winking at me,
Maadhulanga enna vilai
What is the price of the pomegranate fruit?
Mayakkum mallaigaippoo
The intoxicating jasmine flower,
Mookkai thulaikkuthu
Pierces the senses through the nose,
Muzham enna vilai
What is the price per cubit?
Sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi
Come here, my fair girl,
Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Hoi….sevaththa pullaiyae vaadi
Hoi... Come here, my fair girl,
Nee sevalai muzhungum kozhi
You are a hen that swallows a rooster!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and rhythmic duet, composed by R. Anandh with lyrics by Vairamuthu, features a flirtatious banter between a young man and a spirited woman hailing from Manamadurai. The male lover uses various agricultural and floral metaphors—turmeric, lotus flowers, pomegranates, and jasmine—to playfully negotiate for her affection and beauty. The heroine cleverly counters his advances, stating that her beauty and charms are reserved solely for love and marriage, not for mere bartering or flirtation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Maanaamathurai ponnae / Manja kizhangu enna vilai”
The second consonant 'na' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Maanaamathurai' and 'Manja'), establishing classical Tamil rhythmic cadence.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Manja kizhangu enna vilai / Thaamaraippoo enna vilai”
Body parts and attributes are metaphorically mapped to nature and produce—turmeric for complexions, lotus for radiant face, and pomegranate for teeth/lips.
Hyperbole (Uruvagamm / Adukku)
“Ora kannil paaththupputtaa / Uchchi veyil kuliruthae”
Exaggerated imagery used to express intense romantic yearning, where a touch makes the soul tremble and love turns cold winds hot and harsh sun cool.
Monaai (Initial letter alliteration)
“Mayakkum mallaigaippoo / Mookkai thulaikkuthu / Muzham enna vilai”
Alliteration of the initial letter 'M' across line beginnings ('Mayakkum', 'Mookkai', 'Muzham').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Maanaamathurai Ponnae' is one of the most famous rural folk-pop chartbusters composed by R. Anandh (of the duo Vidyasagar-Anandh fame). Sung vibrantly by Mano and Swarnalatha, the song remains iconic for its energetic rhythm and clever rural folk metaphors penned by Vairamuthu.
Keep listening
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